Former Pacific Grove mayor dies

Former Pacific Grove mayor Sandy Koffman, who was revered for her ability to build bridges between competing interests, died early Friday from pancreatic cancer at her home on Camano Island, Wash. She was 60.

Mrs. Koffman served four terms as mayor of "America's Last Hometown," from 1994-2002, during which she dramatically improved the relationship between the business community, the public, the environmentalists and other groups that are traditionally at odds within a community, her friends said.

"I think if we were able to hear from Sandy today, she would be most proud of her efforts to bring the community together and encourage people to work cooperatively," said contractor Robert Huitt, a former city councilman who served alongside Mrs. Koffman throughout her eight years as mayor.

Among Mrs. Koffman's most significant accomplishments were a low-income senior housing project she championed near Lovers Point, the restoration of city hall, a new youth center, and the creation of Eco-Corps, an environmental preservation group she started with her husband, Dan.

She also was an advocate for the preservation of historic homes, and helped spearhead a comprehensive sewer-maintenance and improvement project.

"In 1994, when Sandy first ran for mayor, I actually supported Jeanne Byrne," said Moe Ammar, president of the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce. "The day she got elected, Sandy called me, knowing I had backed Jeanne, and said, 'Moe, I want to work with you, I want to be part of the chamber.' And I wound up with an exceptionally close working relationship with her. She was a dedicated, committed, incredibly positive person with a talent as a consensus builder."

Ammar said he and the former mayor hiked together every Monday with a group that would trek from Pacific Grove to Sobranes Point.

"She cared so much about nature," he said. "She'd teach us about every wildflower, she'd educate us on protecting trails, she'd pick up trash as she was hiking ... she was just a fun, positive human being to be around."

Mrs. Koffman was born and raised in Chicago, and owned a retail clothing store in Southern California before moving in 1990 to Pacific Grove, where she and her husband ran an advertising agency.

She became deeply involved in the community, serving as a docent for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, co-founding Pacific Grove Eco-Corps in 1991, and the Pacific Grove Residents Association in 1993.

She also participated in the Chamber of Commerce and many other local, national and international organizations.

As a mayor, she was adroit at creating and maintaining a civil environment during meetings.

"As with any mayor, some community member would walk up to the mic and yell at her, tell her she was doing a lousy job, scream that the sky was falling," Ammar said. "Sandy always would listen patiently and respectfully, then thank the person for sharing those views. And her 'thank you' was always sincere."

Huitt said she governed with grace and skill, never losing her temper or showing irritation. She also had a sense of humor.

"I served part of my time on City Council with Morrie Fisher, who sometimes would get out of hand telling one of his stories," Huitt remembered with a laugh. "I remember Sandy had a way of gently tapping her gavel and saying something like, 'Morrie? Go to your room now.' Everybody would laugh and any tension in the room would be defused."

Huitt said her abilities stemmed from the fact she genuinely liked people and cared deeply about the world around her. Ammar concurred.

"I'm 65, and I can say without reservation that I never met a nicer human being in my entire life," Ammar said. "I remember my son came home from school one day, told me the mayor had spoken to his class, and said, 'Dad, she remembered my name. You only introduced me to her once, six or seven months ago, but she said, 'How are you doing, Abraham?' He's 23 now, and he still talks about that."

Ammar said he'll propose that flags over city hall be flown at half-staff to honor the memory of the former mayor.